Councils sign HR shared service deal

Two councils have agreed to extend cooperation with a new HR deal that will save both hundreds of thousands of pounds annually.

Buckinghamshire County Council and Harrow Council yesterday (1 August) agreed to a new HR shared service deal that will cover everything from employee relations to payroll.

The councils have been sharing back office functions since April 2015 in a bid to make savings, and two months ago Bucks CC signed a legal services deal with Harrow-based HB Public Law.

The HR service will be managed by Buckinghamshire and Harrow’s staff will TUPE over to Bucks CC before April next year.

‘We’re continuing our approach of working with like-minded councils to realise significant cash savings and explore new opportunities,’ John Chilver, Buckinghamshire’s cabinet member for resources, said.

‘These include getting the best value from contracts and marketing our expertise to others. This new service will also increase knowledge-sharing between our organisations and improve staff career opportunities.’

Cllr Sachin Shah, leader of Harrow Council, said: ‘Another great deal for Harrow means less pressure on the frontline services that people really care about. We’re not finished yet – we’re driving forward with new commercial ideas all the time.’